Queen loach

About

The Bengal loach (Botia dario), also known as the Queen loach, is a well-patterned fish from clear mountain streams across India, Bangladesh, and reportedly Bhutan. Its most identifiable feature is a golden to greenish-yellow body crossed by seven to nine darker bars in shades of blue, grey, or black, with thinner lighter bands often visible between them. The head has a noticeably curved profile that sets it apart from similar species. Pattern variability is common, with some individuals showing bars that break apart or blend together, so no two fish look quite identical. In the aquarium, Bengal loaches are active and social but carry a few quirks worth knowing. They must be kept in groups of at least five or six, ideally more. Lone specimens or small groups tend to become withdrawn or fractious, and a dominant fish may stress its tankmates to the point of refusing food. Like other botiids, they produce audible clicks when excited, may lie on their sides while resting, and occasionally engage in group behaviors that can look alarming to new keepers but are entirely normal. Fin-nipping is a genuine concern, so slow-moving, long-finned tankmates are best avoided. Peaceful mid-water cyprinids and other similarly-sized loaches generally work well. This is a rewarding species for intermediate keepers who can commit to appropriate group sizes and a spacious setup.